Above: Bridgetown (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Barbados and China are planning to expand their bilateral cooperation to areas including green energy and trade, according to Foreign Minister Senator Maxine McClean.

The Minister recently met with Chinese Ambassador to Barbados Xu Hong to discuss what she called “critical areas,” including renewable energy, sports and culture, agriculture and industry.

“Given the abundance of sunshine, one of our efforts must be the utilization of renewable energy and I believe that government must be a leader in the transition to renewable energy,” she said.

Xu said that over the next five years, China would continue to strengthen its relationship with Barbados, focusing on cultural exchanges and trade and attaching “great importance” to bilateral agreements.

China’s Vice Minister of Commerce, Zhong Shan, visited Government Headquarters on Monday, reportedly pledging China’s support to Barbados in renewable energy (particularly wind), tourism, agriculture and commercial industry.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in May 1977.